Fawcett Is Certainly Driven in Everything She Chooses

I’ve finally met a Southern Californian who loves her commute.

Joy Fawcett drives in the rush-hour traffic from her home in Rancho Santa Margarita to her office at UCLA and back in the evening and enjoys every minute because that’s the only quiet time she has.

“I get to listen to my music,” she says. “I get to think.”

The world has changed considerably for women in the last couple of decades. Increasingly, they are allowed more choices regarding their lifestyles.

Fawcett chose.

Everything.

She coaches the UCLA women’s soccer team that is ranked 15th in the nation, and after Sunday’s 3-1 victory at Spaulding Field over No. 18 USC, has the sole lead in the Pacific 10. She is among the world’s best defenders while playing for the U.S. national team. She is one of the leaders in forming a U.S. women’s professional soccer league that will begin play in April.

And, she and her husband are raising two daughters, 3-year-old Katelyn Rose and five-month-old Carli.

Fawcett’s schedule this weekend includes coaching games at home Friday against Arizona and Sunday against Arizona State and playing in one Saturday against Sweden in Chattanooga, Tenn.

“When I get tired, I do what’s important and delegate the rest,” she say. “My family comes first. But they’re also very supportive. I couldn’t do this without help from my husband and parents.”

Fawcett, 29, says she never gave much thought to the superwoman, you-can-have-it-all concept associated with women attempting to balance family lives and career ambitions.

“But other people say I wouldn’t be happy if I wasn’t constantly doing something,” she says.

As a man committed to occasionally doing nothing more taxing than pushing remote control buttons, I was glad to hear her say she relaxes in the car. I figured she would use her commute to learn a language on tape or listen to the collected works of Dostoevsky.

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I’m not sure if the Clippers will be better this season, but there appears to be more fan interest. . . .

None of the free tickets they gave guests at their annual L.A. Chamber of Commerce/Sports Council tip-off luncheon Monday at the Biltmore was left behind on the tables. . . .

That hasn’t been the case in seasons past. . . .

Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said he’s going to have to drop one of his favorite jokes, the one where the doctors tells his patient he’ll be OK as long as he stays away from crowds. . . .

“So the man bought season tickets to the Clippers,” Fitch said. . . .

Forum President Jeanie Buss was at the luncheon. She will need an NBA tenant when the Lakers move into the new downtown L.A. arena in 1999. . . .

Whenever I hear about Wayne Huizenga’s frustration with owning the Florida Marlins, who needed five seasons to win a World Series, I’m reminded of Jeanie’s dad, Jerry, after the Lakers won an NBA title in his first year as owner. . . .

“You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment,” Buss said. . . .

The Florida Marlins’ parade today is routed past the Kings’ hotel in Miami, at a time when they’re supposed to be resting after a morning skate for tonight’s game against the Panthers. . . .

The Ducks’ Guy Hebert wore a wireless microphone in Sunday’s 3-3 tie at New York with the Rangers for an NHL documentary on goaltenders. . . .

So we’ll know exactly what Hebert’s reaction was when Wayne Gretzky recorded his historic 1,850th and 1,851st assists. . . .

One of Gretzky’s 1,851 assists was on a goal by Edmonton teammate Colin Campbell, who is now the Ranger coach. . . .

Five of Gretzky’s assists were on goals by King Coach Larry Robinson. . . .

Fawcett isn’t the only Super Mom. . . .

That’s the nickname of the Columbus Quests’ Valerie Still, who plays in the Long Beach Pyramid tonight against the StingRays. . . .

Still, the ABL’s oldest player at 36, has a 20-month-old son. . . .

The Breeders’ Cup Gala is scheduled for the Century Plaza Hotel on Nov. 7, the night before the races at Hollywood Park. . . .

Christopher Reeve and Bill Shoemaker will be honored, with proceeds benefiting victims of spinal cord and other catastrophic injuries or illnesses. . . .

Reba McEntire, who will sing, is certain to receive a warmer reception than she did in one of her last public appearances. She performed the national anthem for Game 3 of the World Series in cold, cold Cleveland.

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While wondering who did call Greg Lloyd, I was thinking: Troy Aikman should be concerned when he starts ranking his concussions, Jim Harbaugh should also have his head examined, ditto for Charles Barkley.